Support apparatus for a human and method of use

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a support surface having a seat portion and a back portion, wherein the seat portion and the back portion form a non-planar surface. The seat portion has an aperture opening toward the back portion so that when a human is supported on the support surface the human&#39;s anus is positioned over the aperture. A method includes supporting the human on the support surface and accessing the human through the aperture in the support surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates generally to health care devices, and morespecifically to human support apparatuses and methods used to facilitatehuman waste discharge or visual inspection of the human body.

[0003] 2. Art Background

[0004] Invalids and mobility-impaired people, hereinafter themobility-impaired, suffer from an inability to use existing toiletfacilities. Existing toilet facilities are designed primarily forindependent use by non-mobility impaired people. Typically, themobility-impaired cannot clean their anal areas and must rely on healthcare providers to clean their anal and lower spine areas afterdischarging waste. Health care providers must accomplish this task bymoving the mobility-paired person. A simple task such as wiping themobility-impaired person clean after discharging waste can require themobility-impaired person to be tilted uncomfortably forward, awkwardlystood up or lifted to a bed, thereby creating additional problems forboth the mobility-impaired as well as health care worker administeringaid.

[0005] Mobility-impaired individuals need to have their anal and lowerspinal areas frequently inspected by health care workers for medicalreasons. Chief among these medical reasons is inspection of the coccyx(tailbone), sacral and lower spine areas for pressure sores known asDecubitus Ulcers. A Decubitus Ulcer can range from a very mild pinkcoloration of the skin, which disappears in a few hours after pressureis relieved on the area, to a deep wound extending to and sometimesthrough internal organs and into bone. The primary treatment regimen forDecubitus Ulcers is prevention through frequent inspection. Early,visual detection of pressure sores is central to reducing seriousinfection; inspection should occur frequently. These wounds occurfrequently among the mobility-impaired and are of grave concern. Healthcare providers must go through a cumbersome process of moving amobility-impaired person to a bed to perform a simple inspection. Healthcare facilities that fail to provide routine inspections could beconsidered negligent and risk exposure to liability.

[0006] Attempts have been made to provide the mobility-impaired withimproved apparatuses with which to discharge human waste. Two examplesof such attempts are U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,962, Steljes, “Bedside CommodeStation For Invalid Patients,” [Steljes] and U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,154,Pitts et el., “Portable Bedside Toilet Commode,” [Pitts]. NeitherSteljes nor Pitts teach apparatuses that enable cleaning or inspectionof the mobility-impaired by a health care worker. Steljes and Pittsprovide bedside toilets for a person with a reduced mobility conditionand presuppose that the person will be able to get from bed to thebedside toilet with greater ease and independence. Steljes, col. 2, In.19-24, and Pitts, col. 1, l. 50-55. Thus, Steljes and Pitts do notaddress the need for cleaning of the mobility-impaired person andinspection of the anal and lower spinal area by health care providers.

[0007] As mentioned above, existing toilet facilities are unsuitable foruse by mobility-impaired people. Previous attempts have been made tomake the existing toilet facilities usable by mobility-impaired people.Such attempts can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,753, Pociask,“Wheelchair and Commode Seat Therefor,” [Pociask]; U.S. Pat. No.6,324,705, “Commode Chair with Enhanced User Support,” Zephier; and U.S.Pat. No. 6,209,901, Patel, “Wheel Chair with Waste Elimination Opening,”[Patel].

[0008] These attempts at providing improved toilet apparatuses formobility-impaired people do not address the need to provide ease ofcleaning the anal and lower spinal areas of the mobility-impairedwithout having to move the mobility-impaired. Nor do these attemptsaddress the need to inspect these sensitive areas to prevent the onsetof Decubitus Ulcers. In fact, it is the very design of toilet or commodechairs represented by this group that is responsible for placingpressure on the bottom side of a mobility-impaired person whichfacilitates the onset of a Decubitus Ulcer.

[0009] Another attempt at providing an improved toilet apparatus tomobility-impaired people can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,343, Mayle,“Wheel Chair with a Removable Toilet Bowl and Seat,” [Mayle]. Mayleincorporates a toilet bowl and seat into a wheel chair and in so doingdoes not address the need to provide ease of cleaning the anal and lowerspinal areas of the mobility-impaired without having to move themobility-impaired. Nor does Mayle address the need to inspect thesesensitive areas to prevent the onset of Decubitus Ulcers.

[0010] Attempts have been made to provide apparatuses to facilitateself-examination; such examples include U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,359, Shutt,“Self-Examining Genital Mirror,” [Shuft], and U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,575,Downs, et al., “Self Inspection Apparatus,” [Downs]. Both Shutt andDowns provide apparatuses to perform self inspection by the user of theuser's genital areas from the front of the user. Neither Shutt nor Downsteach apparatuses to facilitate inspection of the anal and lower spinalareas of a mobility-impaired person. Neither does Shutt nor Downsaddress the need to provide for cleaning of the anal and lower spinalareas of a mobility-impaired person following waste discharge withoutmoving the mobility-impaired person.

[0011] As mentioned above there exists a need to relieve the pressurethat causes Decubitus Ulcers. Mobility-impaired people, because of theirdisabilities, find it difficult to sense points of excessive andprolonged pressure on their bodies. Particularly sensitive areas are thecoccyx, sacral, and lower back regions of the skeleton. Prolongedpressure to these areas may lead to skin lesions, open sores, andinfection. The key factor in healing Decubitus Ulcers in the early stageis alleviating pressure on the sore area to prevent it from worsening.Shearing or rubbing occurs on the coccyx and sacral area whenever thereis friction on the surface of the skin imparted from another surface, beit clothing or a wheel chair seat surface.

[0012] The combined problems that arise from the existing devices, ofpressure imparted to the anal and lower spinal areas and the dampnessresulting from waste deposits can accelerate the formation of DecubitusUlcers. All of the attempts described above do not mitigate theseproblems. The attempts previously discussed do not solve the problem ofremoving pressure on the anal and lower spinal areas of amobility-impaired person to prevent the onset of Decubitus Ulcers.Neither do these attempts facilitate a health care provider's task ofcleaning the mobility-impaired person following waste discharge withoutmoving the mobility-impaired person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention may best be understood by referring to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings that are used toillustrate embodiments of the invention. The invention is illustrated byway of example in the embodiments and is not limited in the figures ofthe accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similarelements. In the drawings:

[0014]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention where acontinuous structure support surface has an aperture in a seat portion.

[0015]FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the invention where acontinuous structure support surface has a composite aperture.

[0016]FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the invention utilizing acomposite aperture in a support surface.

[0017]FIG. 4 illustrates a support surface configured with a frameaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the invention with attachedwheels.

[0019]FIG. 6A illustrates a posterior view of one embodiment of theinvention.

[0020]FIG. 6B illustrates privacy panels according to one embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the invention utilizing avideo camera and display for viewing a human.

[0022]FIG. 8A illustrates one embodiment of the invention adapted to abed in a reclined position.

[0023]FIG. 8B illustrates one embodiment of the invention adapted to abed capable of being articulated to an elevated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the following detailed description of embodiments of theinvention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements, and in which is shown by way ofillustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Inother instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques havenot been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding ofthis description. The following detailed description is, therefore, notto be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention isdefined only by the appended claims.

[0025] A support surface for a mobility-impaired person (human) isdisclosed which eliminates pressure on the coccyx, sacral, and lowerback regions of the human's anatomy. Eliminating pressure on these areasof the anatomy mitigates the problems of Decubitus Ulcer formationpreviously described. The support surface eliminates pressure on theanatomy and allows posterior access to the mobility-impaired person(human) when the human is supported on the support surface. Eliminationof pressure and posterior access to the human are provided through anaperture in the support surface. Access to the anal area of the humanfacilitates cleaning of the human's anal and lower spinal area followingwaste discharge by a health care worker without having to move thehuman.

[0026] Additionally, inspection of the anal and lower spinal areas ofthe human are provided through the aperture in the support surface.Inspection of. these areas can be performed by health care providers oreven monitored by the human. In one embodiment, inspection is performedusing a mirror positioned to provide a view of the human through theaperture in the support surface. In another embodiment, inspection isperformed using a video camera and display. The display can be locatedin a plurality of places according to various embodiments of theinvention. The invention is not limited by the mechanism used to providea view of the human through the aperture.

[0027] Medical treatment can be rendered through the aperture in thesupport surface. Medication can be administered and/or manipulation ofthe anal and lower spinal areas can be effected through the aperture.

[0028] In various embodiments of the invention, privacy can be achievedby restricting the view of the human as desired. Privacy can be obtainedby using a combination of side, rear, and top view blocking devices(privacy panels) which will be described in a subsequent section.

[0029] In the description that follows, reference will be made to thehuman who will be supported by support surfaces in the embodiments ofthe invention described herein. It will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that the human is not shown in theaccompanying drawings so that the invention is not obscured.

[0030]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention where a supportsurface is a continuous structure and has an aperture in a seat portion.With reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a support surface 100 is acontinuous member which can support a human (not shown) thereon. Thesupport surface 100 includes a seat portion 102 and a back portion 104with an aperture 106 in the seat portion 102 opening toward the backportion 104. In one embodiment, the aperture 106 can include a gapbetween the seat portion 102 and the back portion 104, as shown inFIG. 1. In one embodiment, the seat portion 102 can be sloped down andto the rear to facilitate holding the human therein. The seat portion102 can be sloped at an angle 108 referenced from a horizontal 109, thisangle 108 is variable and no limitation is implied thereby. In oneembodiment, the angle 108 can be approximately five degrees.

[0031] In one embodiment, the seat portion 104 can be sloped back from avertical 111 at an angle 110. The angle 110 is also variable and nolimitation is implied thereby. In one embodiment, the angle 110 can beapproximately ten degrees. Those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that angles 108 and 110 are variable and that, in oneembodiment, the support surface 100 can be made adjustable such thatthese angles could be adjusted to suit the particular desire for comfortof the individual human using the support surface 100.

[0032] In one embodiment, the seat portion 102 can include a generalconcavity to provide increased support to the human seated therein. Thegeneral concavity of the seat portion 102 can exist with respect to alocal X and/or a local Y axis of the plane containing the seat portion102, as shown in FIG. 1. The back portion 104 can contain a generalconcavity with respect to a local X and/or a local Y axis (not shown) ofthe plane containing the back portion 104. The general concavitydescribed herein is meant to be given broad interpretation and is notconfined to any one set curve or shape. General concavity is meant toinclude departures from a flat plane containing the seat portion 102 orthe back portion 104. General concavity can also include a multi-curvedsurface. In one or more embodiments, the support surface, as describedherein and shown in all of the figures, can embody the general concavitydescribed above.

[0033] An ergonomic feature, such as a lumbar support, can beincorporated into the back portion 104 in conjunction with or in placeof the general concavity described in relation to the back portion 104.For example a lumbar support can be built into the lower portion of theback portion 104 to support the lumbar region of the human's lower back.

[0034] In one embodiment, the width of seat portion 102 is 480millimeters at a front end indicted at 112 and 460 millimeters wide at arear end in the vicinity of aperture 106, and a length of the seatportion 102 is 450 millimeters. Similarly, in one embodiment, the backportion 104 has a width of 460 millimeters and a length of 560millimeters.

[0035] In one embodiment, the support surface can be made from a singlestructural member such as molded fiberglass, formed metal, wood or amachined material or a molded material such as plastic or fiberreinforced plastic. The structural member can be padded with a cushionmaterial, such as foam rubber, a gel-padded cushion, etc. Various lowfriction covering materials can be used over the cushion material toprovide a uniform pressure distribution across the bottom of the humanseated on the support surface. The present invention is not limited bythe material used to make the support surface. In one embodiment, theseat portion 102 and the back portion 104 can be padded with a two inchthick foam rubber cushion with an outer surface of vinyl.

[0036] It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art thatthe construction and dimensions listed herein are not restrictive andare merely a set of materials and dimensions for one or more embodimentsof the invention. The present invention is not limited by the materialsor dimensions of the support surface.

[0037]FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the invention where a supportsurface is constructed as a continuous structure and has a compositeaperture. With reference to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, a support surface200 includes a seat portion 202 with an aperture 206, and a back portion204 with an aperture 208. The aperture 206 and the aperture 208 mergetogether to form a composite aperture 210. Composite aperture 210illustrates another embodiment of an aperture through which a human canbe cleaned following waste discharge.

[0038] The invention is not limited by the shape of the apertureincorporated into the support surfaces shown in the figures. In variousembodiments, the aperture contained in the support surface can contain agap between the seat portion and the back portion. The aperture 210 canbe shaped according to different embodiments to accommodate the geometryof different sized humans. For example, in one embodiment, the compositeaperture 210 can have rounded corners as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Inone embodiment, the radius of the rounded corner of aperture 206 isapproximately 70 millimeters. In one embodiment, the length of aperture206 is 260 millimeters. In one embodiment, the width of aperture 210 isapproximately 150 millimeters. In one embodiment, the radius of therounded corner of aperture 208 is 50 millimeters and the length ofaperture 208 is 200 millimeters.

[0039]FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the invention utilizing acomposite aperture in a support surface. With reference to FIG. 3, inone embodiment, a support surface 300 includes a seat portion 302 thathas an aperture 306. The aperture 306 opens toward the posterior end ofthe seat portion 302 and toward a back portion 304. The back portion 304includes an aperture 308. The aperture 308 opens toward the lower end ofthe seat portion 304. The aperture 306 and the aperture 308 mergetogether to from a composite aperture 310. In one embodiment, thecomposite aperture 310 can include a gap between the seat portion 302and the back portion 304, as shown in FIG. 3. The composite aperture 310can be sized as needed to provide access to the human's anal and lowerspinal region to facilitate cleaning after the human discharges waste aswell as being sized as needed to eliminate contact pressure on thehuman's bottom.

[0040]FIG. 4 illustrates a support surface configured with a frameaccording to one embodiment of the invention. With reference to FIG. 4,in one embodiment, a support surface 400 includes a seat portion 402, aback portion 404, and a frame 410 and a frame 412 to position the seatportion 402 and the back portion 404 there between. The seat portion 402includes an aperture 406 opening toward the posterior end of the seatportion 402 and toward the back portion 404. In one embodiment, the backportion 404 includes an aperture 408 that opens toward the bottom ofback portion 404 and toward the seat portion 402. In one embodiment, theaperture 406 and the aperture 408 merge to form a composite aperture.The composite aperture can include a gap between the seat portion 402and the back portion 404 as illustrated in FIG. 4. In one embodiment,the support surface 400 includes an armrest 414 and an arm rest 416. Armrest 414 has a front end 418 and a rear end 420. Similarly, arm rest 414has a front end and a rear end, which ends are not marked to preserveclarity in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, a footrest 418 provides stabilityto a human resting on the seat portion 402 and the seat back 404.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the arm rest 416 slopes down from thefront end 418 to the rear end 420. Such a “down” slope is equivalent tothe front end 418 being elevated relative to the rear end 420. Arm rest414 can be configured to slope in a fashion parallel to arm rest 416.The sloped arm rests serve to stabilize the human seated on the supportsurface 400. In one embodiment, the slope of the arm rest 416 can bedescribed as an angle of approximately ten (10) degrees, measured from ahorizontal, such as the horizontal 109 illustrated in FIG. 1. Nolimitation is implied by a slope of approximately ten (10) degrees.

[0042] In one embodiment, the arm rests 416 and 418 can be configured tobe adjustable, with a variable slope. In one position of adjustment, thearm rests can be configured as described above (sloping down to the rearend 420) to facilitate stabilizing the human when seated on the supportsurface 400. In another position of adjustment, the arms rests can beadjusted such that the arm rests slope from the rear end 420 to thefront end 418, thereby facilitating the human's attempt to rise up andout of the support surface 400. In this position of adjustment the rearend 420 is at a greater elevation than the front end 418. Variouspositions of adjustment are possible in between the two positionsdescribed above. It is not a requirement that the arm rests beconfigured at the same slope. In one or more embodiments the arms restscan be configured with different slopes as well as being configured withthe same slope.

[0043] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the frame410 and the frame 412 can be constructed in a variety of ways. Forexample, the frame 410 can be a continuous structural plate type memberor the frame can be a perimeter frame with an open interior. The openinterior of the perimeter frame can provide access to a human whenseated on the support surface 400. The perimeter frame can be coveredwith a privacy panel to limit the view of the human seated on thesupport surface 400. In one embodiment, such a privacy panel on aperimeter frame would appear as shown in FIG. 4 at 410; effectivelyblocking side views of the human seated on the support surface 400. Inone embodiment, the frame 410 and the frame 412 can be a unifiedstructure or in another embodiment the frame 412 can be a separatestructure from frame 410. Those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the frame utilized to position the seat portion 402 andthe back portion 404 can be created with many well-known techniques,several of which have been described above. The present invention is notlimited by the type of frame utilized herein.

[0044]FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the invention with attachedwheels. With respect to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the invention isillustrated with a wheel 502 and a wheel 504 to provide mobility of thesupport surface 500. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the inventionincorporated into a wheel chair. The support surface 500 can also bereferred to as a mobile commode chair. A wheel lock mechanism isindicated at 506 and can lock the wheel 502, a similar lock mechanism(not shown) is used to lock wheel 504. Those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that the wheel lock mechanism can be configured as isknown in the art utilizing such well-known techniques as a frictionbrake applying pressure to the wheels. Additional smaller wheels, one ormore, (not shown) are used, in one embodiment, under the front portionof the support surface 500 as indicated at 508 to compliment the largerwheels 502 and 504 to provide mobility.

[0045]FIG. 6A illustrates a posterior view of one embodiment of theinvention. With respect to FIG. 6A, a posterior view of a supportsurface 600 is shown. A human (not shown) rests on a seat portion 602,thereby positioning his or her anus above an aperture 606 in the seatportion 602. Waste, expelled from the human (not shown), falls into awaste collection pan 608. Health care providers (not shown) haveposterior access to the human and can clean the anal and lower spinalarea of the human. The health care worker can inspect the anal and lowerspinal regions of the human without moving the human from the supportsurface 600. Medical services can be administered to the human utilizingthe posterior access afforded by the aperture in the support surface600. As described with respect to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG.6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 7, the composite aperture can include a gapbetween the seat portion 602 and the back portion 604 as shown in FIG.6A as desired to provide sufficient access to the human.

[0046] Inspection of the human is accomplished according to severalembodiments of the invention. The waste collection pan 608 can beremoved to provide a view of the human through the aperture 606 inconjunction with a mirror 610 located beneath the aperture 606.Alternatively, or in addition to inspection utilizing the mirror,inspection of the human through the aperture can be accomplished byvideo surveillance and display.

[0047] In one or more embodiments of the invention, privacy can beprovided to the human using privacy panels. FIG. 6B illustrates anembodiment of the invention using privacy panels. With respect to FIG.6B, an exploded view of privacy panels and a support surface are shownat 650. Privacy can be provided to the human by placing a tray 656across and above the lap area of the human seated on a support surface652; the tray 656 can extend from arm rest 416 to arm rest 414. The tray656 is removable and allows the human to partake of activities whileseated on the support surface 652.

[0048] Additional privacy can be provided to the human seated on thesupport surface 652 by using a privacy panel to block the posterior viewof the human. A privacy panel 654 can be a removable curtain, panel ordoor that can be attached or removed as needed to facilitate access tothe human or to block the posterior view, thereby providing privacy.Many ways of attaching a privacy panel are well-known in the art such assnaps, hinges, magnetic strip, channels, string, rollers, etc. Thepresent invention is not limited by the construction of the privacypanel or the attachment of the privacy panel to the support surface 652.

[0049] The privacy panel can extend to cover the entire view of thehuman visible through the aperture or apertures described herein. In oneembodiment, the posterior view can be blocked by extending the privacypanel as indicated by the dashed line around section 655 of the privacypanel; thereby extending the privacy panel all the way to the top of aback portion 653 of the support surface 652.

[0050]FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the invention utilizing avideo camera and display for viewing a human. With respect to FIG. 7,support surface 700 includes a seat portion 702; the seat portion 702has an aperture 703. The support surface includes a back portion 714. Inone embodiment, the aperture 703 can include a gap between the seatportion 702 and the back portion 714 as shown in FIG. 7. The human (notshown) seated on the seat portion 702 is positioned such that thehuman's anus is proximate to the aperture 703. Waste expelled from thehuman (not shown) can fall into a waste collection bucket which would bepositioned similarly as the waste collection bucket is shown in FIG. 6Aat 608. The waste collection bucket is not shown in FIG. 7 so that theinspection structures are not obscured. A video camera 706 positionedbelow the seat portion 702 obtains a view of the human through theaperture 703. The video signal obtained from the video camera 706 can betransmitted from antenna 708 and received by a video display unit 710and antenna 712. It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in theart that video surveillance and display are readily implemented in avariety of ways utilizing known structures and methods. For example, inFIG. 7, a short range wireless system is shown. Alternatively, videocamera 706 could be wired to the video display unit 710 with metalliccoaxial cables or optical fiber transmission lines.

[0051] The video display unit 710 can be located in a variety of placesaccording to different embodiments of the invention. For example, thevideo display unit 710 can be located on the support structure 700 in avariety of ways utilizing a support arm (not shown) attached to supportsurface 700. Alternatively, the video display unit 710 could be placedon a floor mounted stand in the vicinity of the human seated on thesupport surface 700. In yet another embodiment, of the invention, thevideo display unit 710 can be a portable device utilized by a healthcare provider to monitor the status of the human. In yet anotherembodiment, of the invention, the video display device can be part of acentral video surveillance system deployed within a private home orhealth care facility.

[0052] The present invention is not limited by the structures utilizedto provide a view of the human through the aperture 703. In oneembodiment of the invention, multiple views of the human (not shown)seated on the support surface can be produced by different viewingstructures and methods. A mirror 704 positioned beneath the aperture 703can provide a view of the human seated on the support surface and asecond view can be provided from the video camera 706 and video display710. In one embodiment, a health care provider could utilize the mirror704 when cleaning the human and the view provided by the video cameracould be used in a central monitoring facility where a plurality ofvideo displays were arrayed to monitor the status of a plurality ofhumans; each human seated in a support surface 700 with one or moreindividual video cameras per human. Multiple video cameras could be usedto provide multiple views of patients that were of concern. A videocamera could be operated remotely to provide a zoom view of areas ofconcern on a human. In yet another embodiment, a single video display710 could be used to cycle through a plurality of humans seated inindividual support surfaces 700. Such an arrangement could be deployedin a health care facility to monitor the health of the plurality ofhumans.

[0053] In another embodiment, the present invention can be adapted to abed. Such a bed can be adjustable from a reclined position to anelevated position. FIG. 8A illustrates one embodiment of the inventionadapted to a bed in a reclined position. With respect to FIG. 8A, areclined support surface is shown generally at 800. Reclined supportsurface 800 includes a first portion 808 flexibly coupled with a secondportion 802. The first portion 808 and the second portion 802 canflexibly articulate about axis 804. Either one or both of the firstportion 808 and the second portion 802 can contain an aperture 806. Ahuman (not shown) can recline on the support surface 800 with thehuman's anus positioned proximate to the aperture 806. Support surface800 can articulate to an elevated position as shown in FIG. 8B.

[0054]FIG. 8B illustrates one embodiment of the invention adapted to abed capable of being articulated to an elevated position. With respectto FIG. 8B, an elevated support surface is shown at 850. The secondportion 802 is elevated making an angle 856 with the first portion 808.The human can be elevated from the reclined position in FIG. 8A to amore seated position in FIG. 8B to facilitate human waste discharge,cleaning by health care providers, medical examination, andadministration of medical services as needed. The angle 856 isarbitrary, and those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatsuch an embodiment can be configured in a general manner allowing forgeneral positioning of the first portion 808 and the second portion 802,in much the same way that hospital beds are adjusted.

[0055] As used in this description, “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”or similar phrases means that feature(s) being described are included inat least one embodiment of the invention. References to “one embodiment”in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment;however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive. Nor does “oneembodiment” imply that there is but a single embodiment of theinvention. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in“one embodiment” may also be included in other embodiments. Thus, theinvention may include a variety of combinations and/or integrations ofthe embodiments described herein.

[0056] While the invention has been described in terms of severalembodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that theinvention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can bepracticed with modification and alteration within the spirit and scopeof the appended claims. The description is thus to be regarded asillustrative instead of limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a support surface havinga seat portion and a back portion, wherein the seat portion and the backportion form a non-planar surface, the seat portion having an apertureopening toward the back portion so that when a human is supported on thesupport surface the human's anus is positioned over the aperture.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the back portion having an aperture thatmerges with the aperture in the seat portion.
 3. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising: means for viewing to view a portion of the humanvisible through the. aperture.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: means for privacy to limit a view of the human.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for providing mobilityto the support surface.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supportsurface is selected from the group consisting of a chair and a bench. 7.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seat portion is concave.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for supporting thehuman's arms.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: anarmrest coupled with the support surface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the armrest is sloped.
 11. An apparatus comprising: a seatportion having a first aperture; and a back portion having a secondaperture, wherein the seat portion and the back portion form anon-planar support surface to support a human, and the first apertureand the second aperture form a composite aperture in the supportsurface, so that the human's anus is proximate to the compositeaperture.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: means forviewing to view a portion of the human visible through the aperture. 13.The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: means for privacy tolimit a view of the human.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, furthercomprising: means for providing mobility to the support surface.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the support surface is selected from thegroup consisting of a chair and a bench. Dependent Claims B2-B5—secondaperture in V-portion, viewing means, privacy means, wheels, bench. 16.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the seat portion is concave.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 11, further comprising: means for supporting thehuman's arms.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: anarmrest coupled with the support surface.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein the armrest is sloped.
 20. A support surface for a humancomprising: a back portion; a seat portion having an aperture openingtoward the back portion; and a frame coupling the seat portion with theback portion, so that when the human is supported on the supportsurface, the human's anus is proximate to the aperture.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 20, wherein the back portion having an aperture thatmerges with the aperture in the seat portion.
 22. The apparatus of claim20, further comprising: means for viewing to view a portion of the humanvisible through the aperture.
 23. The apparatus of claim 20, furthercomprising: means for privacy to limit a view of the human.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 20, further comprising: means for providing mobilityto the support surface.
 25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein thesupport surface is selected from the group consisting of a chair and abench.
 26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the seat portion isconcave.
 27. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: means forsupporting the human's arms.
 28. The apparatus of claim 20, furthercomprising: an armrest coupled with the support surface.
 29. Theapparatus of claim 28, wherein the armrest is sloped.
 30. A supportsurface for a human comprising: a first portion having an aperture; anda second portion flexibly coupled with the first portion , wherein theaperture extends toward the second portion and an angle between thefirst portion and the second portion is adjustable so that when thehuman is supported on the support surface the human's anus is proximateto the aperture.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30, the second portionhaving an aperture that merges with the aperture in the first portion.32. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising: means for viewing toview a portion of the human visible through the aperture.
 33. Theapparatus of claim 30, further comprising: means for privacy to limit aview of the human.
 34. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising:means for providing mobility to the support surface.
 35. The apparatusof claim 30, wherein the support surface is selected from the groupconsisting of a chair, a bench, and a bed.
 36. The apparatus of claim30, wherein the first portion is concave.
 37. The apparatus of claim 30,further comprising: means for supporting the human's arms.
 38. Theapparatus of claim 30, further comprising: an armrest coupled with thesupport surface.
 39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the armrest issloped.
 40. A support surface for a human comprising: a back portionhaving an aperture; a seat portion having an aperture opening toward andmerging with the aperture in the back portion to form a compositeaperture wherein the human's anus is to be positioned proximate to thecomposite aperture; a frame coupling the seat portion with the backportion; means for viewing to facilitate viewing a portion of the human;and means for privacy to limit a view of the human.
 41. The apparatus ofclaim 40, further comprising: means for providing mobility to thesupport surface.
 42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the supportsurface is selected from the group consisting of a chair and a bench.43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the seat portion is concave. 44.The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising: an arm rest having afront end and a back end, the front end configured higher than the backend.
 45. A method comprising: supporting a human on a support surface;and cleaning an anal region of the human by accessing the anal regionthrough an aperture in the support surface.
 46. A method comprising:supporting a human on a support surface; and inspecting an area of thehuman selected from the group consisting of a lower spine region and ananal region by accessing the human through an aperture in the supportsurface.
 47. The method of claim 46, further comprising: administeringmedical services to the human through the aperture in the supportsurface.